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The NFL season is underway with Week 1 officially in the books! The week featured plenty of wild storylines, close games and surprising results. Although it’s a small sample size at this point, here’s how all 32 teams stack up against one another.
32. Carolina Panthers (0-1)
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The Panthers spent the offseason building the offense around Bryce Young. They revamped the offensive line, added a couple of receiving options, and hired an offensive-minded coach. Somehow, they might be even worse than they were last year. In adding to their offense, their strong defense from a season ago massively regressed. And, the offense looks as bad as ever. Bryce Young was seeing ghosts against the Saints’ defense, throwing two interceptions on horrible overthrows. This is going to be another long year for Panthers fans.
31. New York Giants (0-1)
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If it weren’t for the Panthers, the Giants would be the clear-cut favorite for finishing with the worst record in football. Daniel Jones looks the same as he did last year before he got injured. While rookie Malik Nabers provided a spark, there’s nobody else on this offense that teams have to worry about. The defense was especially disappointing after adding star pass rusher Brian Burns in the offseason. Sam Darnold had his way with the secondary, and was mostly kept clean by Minnesota’s offensive line. HC Brian Daboll will have to work a miracle to make this offense competent.
30. Washington Commanders (0-1)
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Jayden Daniels wasn’t perfect in his debut, but he did a lot of the same stuff that helped him win the Heisman Trophy at LSU a season ago. Daniels finished with 184 passing yards and 88 rushing yards while adding two scores on the ground. He did cough up the ball three times, but the offense was able to recover each one. The story from this game was Dan Quinn’s defense getting decimated by Baker Mayfield. Quinn was expected to take care of that side of the ball, but things are already looking bleak. He’ll have a chance to recover against the lowly Giants next week.
29. Tennessee Titans (0-1)
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The Titans had complete control of their game against the Chicago Bears. Holding a 17-0 lead, it seemed like Tennessee was going to upset one of the trendiest picks of the offseason. Instead, the Titans imploded and lost a game in which their defense did not surrender a single touchdown. Will Levis made some awful decisions, including a game-sealing pick-six on a pass he never should have thrown. Life won’t get much easier without Derrick Henry to lean on in the backfield. Levis will have to shake off the terrible performance with the Jets coming to town next week.
28. Denver Broncos (0-1)
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All eyes were on rookie QB Bo Nix in Denver’s opener. The Oregon standout had some bright moments — including a touchdown run in the fourth quarter — but was woefully inefficient as a passer in his debut. The defense looked strong early on, even forcing two safeties in the first half. However, Geno Smith and the Seahawks’ running game got going in the second half. Denver scored just seven points after the break and are now 0-2 in Week 1s under Sean Payton.
27. Las Vegas Raiders (0-1)
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The Raiders’ defense came to play in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, the offense did not get the memo. They were only able to muster up 10 points in a loss to their division rival. Fourth down was a key theme throughout this one. Vegas failed to convert on a 4th and 1 early in the game, leading to a Chargers field goal. That may have led to HC Antonio Pierce being a bit more timid later on. They opted to punt on 4th and short twice, including a puzzling 4th and 1 punt in LA’s territory late in the game. The defensive line eventually gave in over the second half, surrendering 176 rushing yards to the Chargers’ new-look backfield. Next week is a brutal matchup against a Ravens team that will be playing inspired after last Thursday’s loss.
26. Cincinnati Bengals (0-1)
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It’s not time to panic quite yet in Cincinnati. Though, some seats should start feeling warm after yet another slow start this year. QB Joe Burrow is now 1-8 in the first two weeks of an NFL season. Cincinnati’s offense looked lifeless against the Patriots. They couldn’t establish anything on the ground or through the air. And, that’s even more disheartening when you consider Ja’Marr Chase suited up for the game amidst a contract dispute. The Bengals don’t have much time to figure it out. They play in the arguably the toughest division in football, and have a road date with the defending Super Bowl champions next week. A big win in Arrowhead could erase the memories from this one.
25. Atlanta Falcons (0-1)
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Well, that was a rough start. The Falcons were one of the trendy picks of the offseason after signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year deal. Just one week in, and it seems like the Falcons may have gotten damaged goods. Atlanta scored just 10 points in a loss to the Steelers. And, the defense held up its end of the bargain, holding Pittsburgh’s offense to just six field goals and zero touchdowns. Of course, Cousins will need time to adjust after undergoing Achilles surgery last year. But, there might be too much expected out of a 36-year-old QB coming off a major injury. Could we see Michael Penix Jr. sooner than expected?
24. Cleveland Browns (0-1)
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The last of the “panic” teams is the Cleveland Browns, who have a serious QB problem on their hands. Deshaun Watson is no longer a starting caliber quarterback in this league. Muddying up matters even further is the fact that Watson is being sued yet again from an incident back in 2020. It’s time for the team to cut ties entirely with the disgraced former star. Jameis Winston is likely better than Watson at this point, anyway. The offense will be stagnant until Winston finally takes over.
23. New England Patriots (1-0)
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A sweet victory for first-year head coach Jerod Mayo. The Patriots executed on both ends as they upset the Cincinnati Bengals on their home field. Rhamondre Stevenson led the way offensively, rushing for 120 yards and a touchdown. On the other end, the Patriots limited big plays, recovered two fumbles, and sacked Bengals QB Joe Burrow three times. The Patriots might not be a playoff contender this year, but it’s good to see them playing hard for their new coach. Next up, their first home game of the season hosting the Seattle Seahawks.
22. Los Angeles Chargers (1-0)
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It wasn’t pretty, but the Chargers got the job done against a division rival. LA’s defense held Vegas to just 10 points and forced three turnovers. Edge rushers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa combined for 2.5 sacks and 4 QB hits. Bosa forced a key fumble and Mack tipped a pass that landed in DT Poona Ford’s hands for an interception. Offensively, QB Justin Herbert wasn’t asked to do much as the team leaned on the run game. First-year Charger JK Dobbins rushed for 135 yards in his debut. Jim Harbaugh’s team dominated the line of scrimmage on both ends, just as many expected.
21. Minnesota Vikings (1-0)
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What a day for Sam Darnold. The Vikings QB was excellent in his debut for his new team. Darnold started the game with 12 straight completions. He led a 99-yard drive in the second quarter that was capped off with a touchdown to star wideout Justin Jefferson. The Vikings are strong at the skill positions and have a stout defense led by DC Brian Flores. If Darnold can give them even average QB play, this team will be in the hunt for a playoff spot.
20. Arizona Cardinals (0-1)
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The Cardinals performed to about expectations in Week 1. The offense, mainly the run game, looked good early on as the team controlled possession and the clock. The defense, however, ultimately folded against a superstar QB. Josh Allen had his way with Arizona in the second half, but there are some things the Cards can take away from this game. Kyler Murray looked quick and was making sound decisions with the football. The team wasn’t able to get Marvin Harrison Jr. going in his debut – held to just one reception for four yards – but that won’t always be the case moving forward.
19. Indianapolis Colts (0-1)
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That’s about as good of a loss as you could ask for. Of course, opening up Week 1 with a win would have been great for the Colts. However, playing a top team like the Texans close with a QB who is making just his fifth career start is nothing to scoff at. Anthony Richardson lived up to the billing, making splash plays both through the air and on the ground. He made a few errant throws that could have ended up in big plays, but that should be cleaned up over the course of the season. The defense was another story though. Joe Mixon gashed Indy’s rush defense for 159 yards, and the team still has no answer for WR Nico Collins. The Colts get a bit of a lucky break in Week 2 against a Packers team that will likely be without starting QB Jordan Love.
18. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1)
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It was the same script for the Jags in Week 1. Mistakes, mistakes, and more mistakes. Jacksonville jumped out to an early lead against a potent Miami squad. In the second half, it was all Dolphins. With a chance to extend the lead to 17 points, RB Travis Etienne fumbled on the one-yard line and the Dolphins recovered. On the very next play, Tyreek Hill scored an 80-yard touchdown on a catch-and-run. The Jaguars converted just one first down over their final three drives and looked all out of sorts. Next up is a matchup against one of the other dysfunctional AFC teams, the Cleveland Browns.
17. Seattle Seahawks (1-0)
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Seattle’s offense came alive in the second half after a quiet start. Perhaps QB Geno Smith’s 34-yard touchdown run ignited a rally. New OC Ryan Grubb established a good rhythm in the ground game over the final two quarters. Kenneth Walker ended the day with 103 rushing yards and a score, and backup Zach Charbonnet caught a touchdown pass. On defense, Mike Macdonald’s group forced three turnovers against the rookie QB. After an up-and-down sophomore year, it was a nice sight to see 2022 Pro Bowler Riq Woolen ice the game with an interception.
16. Chicago Bears (1-0)
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While Week 1 wasn’t exactly the dream Chicago fans had envisioned for months, the Bears still pulled out a victory to start the season. No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams struggled throughout his debut. The former Heisman winner didn’t look comfortable for a majority of the game — he missed multiple passes and made a few mistakes trying to escape pressure. However, Keenan Allen also dropped a ball in the endzone and Williams didn’t turn the ball over. Chicago fell into a 17-0 hole before the defense and special teams bailed out Williams and the offense. Jonathan Owens converted a blocked punt into Chicago’s first touchdown and a Tyrique Stevenson pick-six won the game in the fourth quarter. Overall, Chicago intercepted three passes and blanked Tennessee over the final 33 minutes.
15. New York Jets (0-1)
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Aaron Rodgers escaped Week 1 uninjured, but that is one of the few positives the Jets can take from a rough Week 1 performance. Taking on a Christian McCaffrey-less 49ers squad, the Jets looked incredibly rusty on offense, and the defense was gashed over and over by back-up running back Jordan Mason. Still, the sky isn’t falling for a Jets team who will improve with more reps on offense, and we know how talented their defense is. A drop in the power rankings is warranted, but they have a perfect opportunity to get back on track next week taking on an unimposing Titans squad.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0)
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With former Bear Justin Fields starting at quarterback in place of an injured Russell Wilson, the Steelers — like the Bears — leaned on their defense to win their opening game. Fields played a clean game after fumbling the opening snap, finishing 17-of-23 for 156 yards and 57 rushing yards. Fields found George Pickens for a few deep completions, but the offense couldn’t find the endzone. Chris Boswell made all six of his field goal attempts to account for all 18 points. Defensively, Pittsburgh intercepted Kirk Cousins twice, recovered a fumble, and generated pressure throughout the game. Pittsburgh enters Week 2 as the only team in the AFC North with a win.
13. New Orleans Saints (1-0)
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We can’t get too excited over New Orleans’ Week 1 win because it came against Carolina, but it was certainly a good way to start the season. The Saints were dominant from the start and raced out to a 17-0 lead after 15 minutes. By halftime, New Orleans led 30-0 and had scored on all six possessions. In fact, the Saints would score points on their first nine possessions of the game before mercifully going three-and-out on their final two drives. Derek Carr went 19-of-23 and tossed three touchdown passes and Alvin Kamara looked good in limited work (85 yards and one TD on 15 carries). Defensively, New Orleans forced three turnovers and limited Carolina to 193 total yards. Let’s see how the Saints look against Dallas.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0)
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While the Saints beat up on the NFL’s worst team, the Buccaneers trounced the visiting Washington Commanders. Baker Mayfield’s resurgence was a huge story in 2023 and the former No. 1 pick looked even better to start the new season. Facing a poor Washington defense, Mayfield went 24-of-30 for 289 yards and four touchdowns. Chris Godwin led the way with eight catches for 83 yards and one score, Mike Evans added two TDs, and rookie Jalen McMillan’s first catch in the NFL went for 32 yards and six points. This week, the Bucs will travel to Detroit to take on the team that eliminated them from last year’s postseason.
11. Buffalo Bills (1-0)
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It took nearly two quarters to get going, but the Josh Allen show was on full display Sunday afternoon in Buffalo. After a fumble ended Buffalo’s opening possession deep in Arizona territory, the Bills quickly fell into a 10-0 hole. A successful field goal was followed by a second Arizona TD, leaving Allen and Co. with less than three minutes remaining in the first half to cut into a 17-3 deficit. With Allen taking to the air and scrambling at will, the Bills scored their first TD of the season with 19 seconds to go. In the third quarter, Allen threw two TD passes to put his team ahead. The star would add a second rushing score in the fourth to extend Buffalo’s lead to 11, but he may have paid the price by leaping at the goal line. The QB will undergo further testing on his left hand in advance of a Week 2 battle in Miami.
10. Green Bay Packers (0-1)
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As the Bills await news on Josh Allen’s left hand, the Packers enter Week 2 knowing that they will be without their star quarterback. Opening the season against the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil, Jordan Love sprained his MCL in the closing seconds of a 34-29 loss. Love avoided a season-ending injury, but he is expected to miss at least 3-4 weeks. While he wasn’t great against Philadelphia, Love and the Packers looked like a contender even in defeat. Now, Green Bay will turn to former Titan Malik Willis for its Week 2 matchup with the Colts.
9. Los Angeles Rams (0-1)
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For the second game in a row, the Rams left the field in Detroit feeling like they let one slip away. Their season ended with a crushing loss in last year’s Wild Card round, and the 2024 season began with an overtime loss in which they never touched the ball in the extra period. Los Angeles dealt with a slew of injuries Sunday night — it was down to its third-string left tackle — and lost star wide receiver Puka Nacua. Nacua caught four passes before leaving with a knee injury and was placed on IR (meaning he’ll miss at least the next four weeks). With Nacua out, Matthew Stafford turned to Cooper Kupp. Fully healthy, Kupp once again looked like an elite receiver (14 catches for 110 yards and one TD). A 17-0 run in the second half gave Los Angeles a 20-17 lead, but it was unable to keep Detroit off the board at the end of regulation or in overtime.
8. Miami Dolphins (1-0)
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What a wild start to the season for the Dolphins. Hours before kickoff, Tyreek Hill was handcuffed outside the stadium following a traffic stop. Once on the field, Miami was sluggish out of the gates and trailed 14-0 late into the first half. De’Von Achane scored the first points of the season with 1:09 remaining, but Jacksonville responded with a field goal at the buzzer to take a 10-point lead into the break. Miami caught a huge break in the third quarter when Travis Etienne fumbled into the endzone inches away from extending Jacksonville’s lead to 24-7. Instead, the Dolphins recovered the fumble for a touchback and on the next play, Hill scored an 80-yard TD. The offense remained disjointed in the fourth quarter, but Jason Sanders made two field goals — including a buzzer-beater — to complete the comeback.
7. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)
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Following last year’s collapse, the Eagles needed to start the 2024 season on a positive note. Playing a Super Bowl contender in Brazil, Philadelphia started the season with back-to-back turnovers — an interception and a fumble, respectively, by Jalen Hurts. The defense came through by holding Green Bay to two field goals following the giveaways, and then the offense found its groove. Former Giant Saquon Barkley starred in his first game as an Eagle — 109 rushing yards, 23 receiving yards and three total TDs — and A.J. Brown finished with 119 yards and one score. Hurts needs to take better care of the ball and Jason Kelce’s absence was certainly noticeable, but Philly should be in the playoff mix.
6. Dallas Cowboys (1-0)
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It was only one game, but Dallas has to feel pretty good about itself entering the second week of the year. The Cowboys made headlines Sunday morning by signing Dak Prescott to a massive extension and proceeded to make waves on the field by demolishing the Browns in Cleveland. After starting the game down 3-0, Dallas scored the next 27 points — capped off by a 60-yard punt return by KaVontae Turpin — to put the game away. The defense tormented Deshaun Watson for 60 minutes. The group sacked Watson six times and intercepted two passes. The offense didn’t have to do much, but it will need a better showing this week against the Saints.
5. Houston Texans (1-0)
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For one week, Cincinnati’s loss was certainly Houston’s gain. After Cincinnati opted to move on from longtime running back Joe Mixon in the offseason, many experts questioned how much he had left in the tank. Well, if Week 1 was any indication of what is to come — the answer is plenty. Mixon was sensational in Houston’s 29-27 win in Indianapolis. In addition to catching three passes, Mixon rushed for 159 yards and one TD on 30 carries. C.J. Stroud threw for 234 yards and two scores — both went to Stefon Diggs — and Nico Collins led the way with 117 receiving yards. If Houston can maintain that type of balance, it will be very hard to beat.
4. Detroit Lions (1-0)
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It wasn’t pretty, but the Lions left Ford Field with a victory Sunday night. In a showdown between two likely playoff teams, the first half was low on points and high on intensity. Detroit and Los Angeles managed to kick one field goal apiece through the first 28 minutes before Jahmyr Gibbs scored the first touchdown of the game with 1:57 remaining in the first half. The defense came up big to end the half as Kirby Joseph came down with an interception in the endzone. Jameson Williams was a star in the passing game (121 yards) and extended Detroit’s lead to 17-3 with a 52-yard TD early in the second half. However, the Rams controlled the rest of regulation and took a 20-17 lead with 4:30 to play. The Lions tied the game with 17 seconds remaining and put together a dominant drive in overtime — capped off by a David Montgomery TD — to win the game.
3. Baltimore Ravens (0-1)
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There’s no shame in Baltimore’s Week 1 defeat to the defending Super Bowl champions. In fact, if Isaiah Likely’s shoe size was one size smaller, we might be talking about the Ravens entering Week 2 with a 1-0 record (they would’ve definitely gone for two). Baltimore’s only true concern emerging from this game is its offensive line. With some new pieces up front, Lamar was forced to improvise more than the Ravens would’ve liked. However, the unit will only improve as the season goes on, and the defense is never something you have to worry about with a John Harbaugh-led team. You get the feeling that this isn’t the only time we will see Chiefs-Ravens this season…
2. San Francisco 49ers (1-0)
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No Christian McCaffrey? No problem for the 49ers. Taking on an intimidating Jets defense, Jordan Mason filled CMC’s void with a brilliant 28-carry, 147 rushing yard performance, and Brock Purdy and the passing attack looked as steady as ever. The defense completely overwhelmed Aaron Rodgers, limiting the Jet’s offense to a total of 271 yards. With the Vikings on deck, the 49ers are without a doubt looking like the preeminent threat once again in the NFC.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (1-0)
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Unlike last year’s Week 1 loss to the Detroit Lions, the Chiefs took care of business on “Ring Night” this year and knocked off the Baltimore Ravens. The victory essentially confirmed what people expected heading into the season. The defense is still going to be very stout despite the loss of L’Jarius Sneed, and the addition of rookie Xavier Worthy gives the Kansas City offense some much-needed speed. Patrick Mahomes is still Patrick Mahomes, which is all the NFL needs to know to confirm the Chiefs will fully be in contention for a third straight Super Bowl.
